Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

The Challenge Series / Always a Marine – Book Ten

This novella is all about love, and not just between a man and a woman. It’s the love of family, both your personal family and your military family. It’s the love of a parent for their child. And, it’s the love the slowly grows. This story is complex and yet so simple.

Melody is a widow who is thrilled her abusive husband is dead but scared because her baby has life threatening medical problems. Joe is the Marine who is living next to her at Mike’s Place. He was severely wounded during battle and is trying to get himself back together. They can’t do it alone, yet for Melody to reach out is too much. Joe wants to help but how much is too much and how much time does he need to give her to heal?

I absolutely loved this story. First because I love Heather Long’s Always a Marine stories and I love Mike’s Place. But, more than that, this story reached across lines.

Melody wasn’t a Marine and her husband wasn’t exactly a model one but the same bond that hold the Marines together is extended to her. She feels guilty because she’s glad her husband is dead and doesn’t think she deserves this caring. But, the Marines aren’t leaving her, or her daughter, behind or alone.

Joe is not the same race as Melody. It’s mentioned and then forgotten. It’s a non-issue which is as it should be. The underlying feelings, concerns and desires is the same for everyone. This comes across so well as Joe’s family comes to help Melody and Joe.

There isn’t an immediate happy ending which is perfect. While love is a strong motivator, it doesn’t cure all of life’s problems quickly. Sometimes it needs time.

So, I find this to be an almost perfect story. I didn’t want it to end and now I’m ready for more.

Book Blurb for Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Have you ever woken up every day afraid of everything?

For single mom and widow Melody Carter, six months passed since an IED ripped her life apart. Everyone is sympathetic and offers platitudes of comfort and support. Everyone thinks they know why she’s grieving, but Melody isn’t mourning her broken heart. She’s ashamed to be grateful her abusive husband won’t hurt her anymore and scared for her child. Born with a mild heart defect, her daughter needs lifesaving surgery and with her funds tight and her emotional scars tighter, she’s running out of options. When she receives an offer for assistance from Mike’s Place, can Melody put her faith in the men her husband called friend?

Have you ever woken up, day after day, to discover your body’s betrayal?

Marine Captain, Joe Anderson Cooper, received the Silver Star for Valor when he led his unit through heavy fire to rescue fellow Marines. Despite numerous injuries, the Captain refused medical aid, insisting that the medics attend others. A broken back and shattered bones put Captain Cooper in a wheelchair and every day is a battle to keep his recovery on track and his sanity intact. When a single mom moves in to the apartment next door to his and he recognizes kindred—damaged—soul, can he overcome her fear and be the man she’s always needed?

Can these two lonely souls rise to the challenge or will their scars trap them forever?

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